Pechanga Powwow 2012 (1 of 2)

Every year the Pechanga Band of Indians has a Powwow that features performers from all across the United States and Canada. I was interested in checking this event out for not only the photographic opportunities, but also the cultural ones. I came away with not only some nice photos, but also a glimpse into Native American culture.

Shooting at the Powwow proved to be a challenge due to the way the “stage” was arranged. Essentially, there was a ring of tents where the performers were preparing with the inside of the ring serving as the stage. Therefore it was difficult to get a clean shot of the various performers without getting distracting multi-colored tents in the frame.

In the above photograph, I shot upwards using the clear blue sky as a background to the woman’s colorful attire. The front of her face is kissed by the midday sun while the rest of her face falls into slight shadow.

Meet Mark

Mark is a scientist living in San Diego, CA. He loves being outdoors and traveling. Always with him is his Canon EOS 5D Mark III. Mark has been shooting since 2009. Join him as he documents his travels and everyday life. Learn more about Mark click here.